How To Plan A Trip Around The WorldVisa Issues

The Netherlands

Before you leave on your trip you should make sure that you are aware of the visa and entry requirements to all of the countries you will be visiting. You should also plan to get at least some of your visas before you depart. Many countries will only let you stay as a tourist for a certain period of time, whether you need a visa or not. You should also be aware of these limitations, as many travelers have found themselves paying large fines or worse when they attempt to leave a country.

Sometimes it is not possible to get a visa while you are still at home due to scheduling. Sometimes you can only obtain a visa within a certain window of arriving in the country, and this window might fall during your trip. It is possible visit the embassy for those countries while you are abroad. You might have to wait longer, or pay a different amount than you would at home, but it can be done.

Sometimes you can only get a visa for a certain country from your own country. Russia, for example, has a rather challenging visa process which requires a sponsorship from a Russian travel agent. This can sometimes take weeks to arrange, and should not be left to the last minute.

Getting a visa outside of your home country can often be cheaper, especially if you're American. On our trip, we obtained a visa for Mali for about $40 while we were in Morocco. The same visa at home would have cost $131 per person. (Many countries will match your home country's visa costs, and a visa to the U.S. usually costs about $140 for foreign visitors.)

Issues with specific countries

The following information is advice, but only that. Don't take our word for it, as political situations often change. Always check with official government sources for the latest visa and border information.

If you're traveling to Israel, pay attention to the now infamous "Israeli Passport Stamp" issue. A number of countries around the Middle East will not let you in if they see that you've been to Israel. If you're in the region, go to Israel last. (In some situations, your country may be able to give you two passports.) Specifically, Iran, Lebanon, and Syria have been known to deny entry for having previously visited Israel, although these countries are not always consitent with their enforcement of this non-official rule. Jordan and Egypt are now on friendly terms with Israel and will let you in. Keep up with the news, as political situations in the Middle East can change quickly.

As mentioned before, Russia requires a travel agent sponsorship. The same is true for Iran and Libya. Saudi Arabia requires a lot of planning ahead as well.

China, Vietnam, India, the U.S.A., and many other commonly visited countries require visas to be obtained in advance. Many of these countries make it fairly easy to get a visa while on the road, away from your home country.

Be aware of the Schengen zone, which makes up most of Europe, and how long you're allowed to stay within it. Hefty fees and even jail time await you if overstay your visit.

The United States Department of State has travel and visa information on their website for most countries in the world. The entry requirements for many countries depend on your home country, so if you are not a U.S. citizen, check with your own government.

The website iVisa.com has a great tool where you can figure out if you need a visa for a country based on your home country. Just enter your home country and destination, and the website will tell you what type of visa, if any, you need. Sometimes you must visit the consulate or embassay of a nation to obtain a visa, but sometimes you can order one by mail or online. (And you can get passport photos here, too.)

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has tools to help you plan your travel and vacation costs and track your spending. You can also find out how much stuff costs in various locations around the world with our Travel Cost Calculator. Sign Up to get started.